Features
February 2011 Issue

Steve White has worked extensively with military and police dogs, as well as pet dogs of every stripe. Hes a leading proponent of positive reinforcement training, both for law enforcement and civilian trainers.

Training Police Dogs and Military Dogs Using Positive Methods

These police officers are proof that reward-based training is good for more than just basic obedience and fun tricks.

By Stephanie Colman

Positive reinforcement training has made significant inroads among much of the dog-owning population. However, many handlers involved in precision-based sports such as field work, obedience, and Schutzhund, along with many pet owners of strong breeds such as Rottweilers, Dobermans, and so-called bully breeds, still believe a healthy dose of compulsion is necessary to convince the dog he must perform as commanded (as opposed to cued or requested).
The trainers of working police dogs generally feel that their dogs  and their jobs  also require the use of force-based techniques; a majority of law enforcement dog handlers still rely on compulsion. Fortunately, a growing number are beginning to realize that positive reinforcement not only produces reliable dogs, it also decreases dog-handler conflict and creates stronger working relationships.